Arc lamp ignition and operating circuit

A circuit for energizing a Xenon arc lamp. A pulse of high potential is applied to the lamp to ionize it and render it conductive. A first capacitor charged to a first voltage less than the high pulse potential discharges current into the lamp after ionization to provide for first stage heating of the electrodes of the lamp. A second capacitor charged to a second potential less than the first and coupled to the lamp through a diode, discharges current into the lamp only after substantial discharge of current from the first capacitor to provide for second stage heating of the electrodes and condition the lamp for continuous conduction. A DC to AC to DC converter is utilized to develop a DC potential which is added to the potential from a battery to provide an operating potential for the continuous operation of the lamp.